A move by Malaysia’s opposition political coalition Pakatan Rakyat to name a shadow Cabinet ahead of the upcoming polls would be akin to “putting the cart before the horse”, said Democratic Action Party (DAP) vice-chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw.

“How can we come out with a list when we do not even know which of our leaders of calibre will win or not in the polls?” he said at the parliament lobby yesterday.

He noted that what was important is Pakatan's ability to form a Cabinet with leaders of calibre if they are successful in the coming polls.

He reiterated that Pakatan had yet to decide on its shadow Cabinet and described talk of a list as fictitious.

“I am not aware of such a list (shadow Cabinet) as the Pakatan leadership has yet to announce one,” he said.

He also denied a report in a Malay daily stating that he described Pakatan's goal of capturing Putrajaya as “day-dreaming”.

“I never said that and I merely told them what I am telling you now,” he said, adding that words were put his mouth.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said that Pakatan should not talk about taking over the Government when it has not even formed its own shadow Cabinet.

He said having a shadow Cabinet is fundamental in being in the opposition which Pakatan failed to do.

At the lobby, DAP secretary-general and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng said that Pakatan Rakyat had a “unique” committee system, where a representative from each of its three coalition parties oversee a single ministerial portfolio.

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said having a shadow Cabinet was only practised in Britain and Australia.